FERRARI CHALLENGE EUROPE 2025: RENMANS AND FONTANA OPEN WITH SUCCESS AT MONZA

On the first day of racing in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe, which opened its 33rd edition at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, successes in the Trofeo Pirelli for Gilles Renmans (Francorchamps Motors Brussels) and for Fabrizio Fontana (Formula Racing) in the Coppa Shell. Victory in the Coppa Shell Am for “Boris Gideon” (Autohaus Ulrich), while Andrew Morrow (Charles Hurst) finished first in the Trofeo Pirelli Am. Present on the renovated Brianza circuit for the first round of the season as Race Advisor was official Ferrari driver Alessio Rovera.

Pirelli Trophy. Belgian Gilles Renmans, making his debut in the Prancing Horse single-brand, took the win at the end of a tight race for the entire 30 minutes of its duration. After the unlucky early exit of poleman Luigi Coluccio (Rossocorsa), it was the experienced Björn Grossmann (B.I. Corse – Octane 126), making his comeback in the series after a few years, who was held back in the final by a technical problem, leaving the first place to Renmans just before the checkered flag. Third place for another rookie, young Italian Vincenzo Scarpetta (Radicci Automobili – Sanasi Racing Team). Renmans also gets the extra point for the fastest lap in 1’44″631.
Fourth place overall for Andrew Morrow, who thus wins the Pirelli Am Trophy, just 360 thousandths ahead of Michael Verhagen (Ferrari Warszawa), who also set the best time in the class. Third place for Italian Marco Zanasi (Motor Service – Pinetti Motorsport).

Shell Cup. The first win of the season in the class goes to Fabrizio Fontana, reigning champion of the Trofeo Pirelli 488 and making his debut in the 296 Challenge. After taking pole position, the Italian Formula Racing driver maintained the lead, gradually increasing his advantage until the finish line. Uncertain until the last lap was the challenge for the other steps of the podium with Rey Acosta (The Collection), author of a consistent performance, taking second place, while third was Eric Cheung (Formula Racing), champion of the Shell Am Cup World Finals, after the penalty suffered by Zois Skrimpias (Ineco – Reparto Corse RAM) for track limit. The Canadian also recorded the best lap time of 1’45″630.

Success in the Shell Am Cup for the day’s poleman “Boris Gideon,” adept at containing to the finish line the comeback attempts of Henrik Kamstrup (Formula Racing), second, and Shintaru Akatsu (Ineco – Reparto Corse RAM), third. Fast class lap for Guy Fawe (Scuderia FMA), fifth at the end behind Norikazu Shibata (Cornes Osaka). The race was red-flagged for a few minutes following an accident at the start involving four drivers, who were later taken to the medical center for assessment.

Program. Tomorrow, Sunday, March 30, is the second day of racing for the 296 Challenge at the Monza circuit. After the morning qualifying sessions, green flag for Coppa Shell Am at 2 p.m., for Trofeo Pirelli and Trofeo Pirelli Am at 3:15 p.m. and of the Coppa Shell at 4:30 p.m. The races are streamed on the YouTube platform at the official Ferrari channel or by logging on to races.ferrari.com.

Entry for the public is free, while entry to the paddock will be reserved exclusively for Ferrari customers and guests. Parking lots P8 and P9 will be available for the public at the following rates, payable directly on site: cars 15 euros per day; motorcycles 5 euros per day; minibuses and buses 30 euros per day.

Tomorrow’s races will be introduced by striking choreography.

The entrances for the public will be Gate A (Vedano al Lambro) and Gate B (Santa Maria alle Selve, Biassono). People with disabilities will have access to Room 112 of the Building Hospitality and will be able to use the dedicated parking lot located in front of the Monza Circuit Shop, near the Fangio Statue.